Shohei Ohtani’s timeline for returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation has become unclear following continued discomfort in his left knee. The two-way star experienced soreness during a bullpen session on Friday, prompting manager Dave Roberts to express concerns about his readiness. While the club had tentatively scheduled Ohtani for a start on Sunday, those plans are now in question.
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to persistent knee inflammation, with his recovery further complicated by a biceps issue. Prior to these injuries, he was performing at an elite level on the mound as a potential National League Cy Young candidate. A simulated game last weekend had offered encouraging signs of progress, but the brief Friday bullpen session—limited to 20 pitches—did not produce the desired results regarding his knee condition. In contrast, Ohtani has maintained his role as the Dodgers’ designated hitter throughout his absence from the rotation and has continued to produce offensively at a high level.
Management has prioritized protecting Ohtani’s offensive contributions to the team. “His value offensively is hugely important, and so we can’t compromise that in any fashion,” Roberts stated, adding that any pitching activities that might jeopardize his hitting performance would not be worthwhile. The Dodgers’ rotation has undergone changes recently, with the trade acquisition of Tarik Skubal and the returns of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell providing depth. However, injuries to Roki Sasaki and Justin Wrobleski have created additional challenges, leaving Eric Lauer as a likely candidate for the fifth starter role.
The Dodgers, holding a record of 81-54, maintain a lead in the National League West but face intense competition for playoff seeding. Currently, they hold a one-game advantage over the Atlanta Braves for the second division-champion bye in the postseason structure. Additionally, Ohtani is pursuing a fourth consecutive MVP award, though he is currently listed at +300 odds at FanDuel, trailing Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong at -390, partly attributable to Ohtani’s limited number of pitching starts at 14.
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